Instructional golf mat

Abstract

An instructional golf mat which accommodates left and right-handed golfers, and which is useful for efficiently practicing the fundamentals of a golf swing including ball placement, foot position, golf club swing path and tee height is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An instructional golf mat, comprising: a base; and   a top surface mounted to the base and including, a first grid pattern comprising a plurality of intersecting lines at which a golfer may relatively position his or her feet and a ball, the grid pattern extending over substantially the entire top surface between the feet and ball positions,   a second grid pattern located within the first grid pattern and at which a golfer may relatively position his or her feet and a ball, the second grid pattern comprising selected intersecting lines of the first grid pattern which are uniformly-spaced and which are highlighted in relation to other of the lines of the first grid pattern, the second grid pattern extending over substantially the entire top surface between the feet and ball positions,   at least two hitting stations located at respective regions of the top surface, each hitting station being defined by a third grid pattern comprising highlighted intersecting lines, and   a plurality of golf club swing paths at each hitting station, the golf club swing paths being defined by the first and second grid patterns.     
     
     
       2. The instructional golf mat of claim 1, further comprising a center layer positioned between the base and the top surface, the center layer comprising a shock-absorbing material. 
     
     
       3. The instructional golf mat of claim 1, wherein the top surface further includes perimeter reference arrows located about the periphery of the top surface. 
     
     
       4. The instructional golf mat of claim 1, further comprising at least one tee located within the grid pattern. 
     
     
       5. The instructional golf mat of claim 4 wherein the at least one tee is adjustable in height. 
     
     
       6. The instructional golf mat of claim 5 wherein the at least one tee further comprises a collar positioned below the top surface and a tee section engaged to the collar. 
     
     
       7. The instructional golf mat of claim 6 wherein the collar and tee section are threadably engaged. 
     
     
       8. The instructional golf mat of claim 1, the top surface further comprising vertical fibers the length of which vary between portions of the top surface to simulate fairway and rough. 
     
     
       9. The instructional golf mat of claim 1, wherein a portion of the top surface comprises a material simulating sand.